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90 CADWorx Tips in 90 Minutes
Matt Worland
Senior Application Engineer

2. Objectives:
Share 90 of my favorite tips and techniques
that have increased my productivity and
efficiencies during my years of design using
CADWorx

3. Project Setup – Computer Tips
1) Create your own workspace
2) Create and use a custom CUIX file
3) Export your CADWorx Profile regularly
4) Run the latest version when starting a new project

4. Project Setup – Project Centric Files
5) Setup your piping rules
6) Project Standard Config files
7) Project Standard Client Approved Specification files
8) Create Assemblies
9) Project Standard Equipment Data files
10) Project Standard Insulation Files
11) Create ISOGEN styles for different needs

5. Project Setup – File Tips
12) Always start with a CADWorx template - Don’t copy old files
13) Design near 0,0,0
14) Use AutoCAD north as plant/world north
CADWorx Error Number 2012
CADWorx coordinate limits are as follows:
In imperial coordinates (English / Inch Mode), the limit is approximately:
-9000000 inches to 99000000 inches
-750000 feet to 8250000 feet
-140 miles to 1500 miles
In metric coordinates (Metric / Metric Mode), the limit is approximately:
-9000000 millimeters to 99000000 millimeters
-9000 meters to 99000 meters
-9 kilometers to 99 kilometers

6. Specifications – Catalog Tips
15) Don’t modify OOTB files - Create copies of modified files
(CATS, PRJs, Blocks, Templates…)
16) Create missing components with OOTB component types
Orifice Plates
17) Create usershapes for everything else - Detailed Filters
18) Use Topworks
19) Use optimized vendor drawings when possible - Topworks,
Usershapes and Equipment

7. Specifications – Catalog Data Tables
20) Use Orifice taps on the flange data tables
21) Use Excel like formulas in the spec editor
=MAINSIZE*1.5

8. Specifications – PRJ Tips
22) Set your defaults in your catalog and PRJ
23) Use custom colors for non engineered items
24) Use long description formats
25) Use Schedule Assignment Tables
26) Use Material Assignment Tables
27) Use custom data in your PRJ to track status data in your
model
28) Export your specs for checking
=DESC_CMP_TBL, MAINSCH_SCH_TBL, SPEC_MAT_TBL GRADE_MAT_TBL, STANDARD_CMP_TBL

9. Long Description Accuracy
29) Use find tab on line view palette to keep an eye on your BOM
30) Use database to fix Long Descriptions

10. Line Numbering
31) Use line numbers in static mode
32) Use line numbers from your PID database.
33) Use line view palette
34) Create line view filters
– Issue Stages
– Stress Stages
– Services
– Specs

11. Line Routing
35) Use Routing Command
36) Use Connect option in pipe routing
37) Use BOP Alignment option to route pipe on top of pipe
supports
38) Use the Elevation option when routing pipe to drop an elbow
down
39) Swap a support using the Design Grip
Pick end point or [component List/Slope/sKew/Elevation/Plane
/Reference/Fitting mode/elBow type/Undo/Connect/Toggle
length/Alignment]:
Specify start point or [Alignment/Reference] <last point>:

12. Creating Isos
40) Place all data into model for no touch ISOs
41) ISOGEN Data - Use the ICEDIT command
42) Isogen Start and Stop signs
43) Use Discontinuity Palette

13. Viewbox
44) Use Viewbox to quickly
create saved views

14. Equipment
45) Use the equipment palette
46) Don't use AutoCAD commands on equipment
47) Use generic nozzle attach

15. Reports
48) Pipe BOM, Pipe Supports BOM, Steel BOM, HVAC BOM
49) Insulation Reports
50) Center of Gravity Reports
51) Weld Total Reports
52) Clash Detection Report
53) Discontinuity Report

16. CADWorx Design Review
54) Use Design Review to create iCDR files to view in the field

17. Xrefs
55) Never rename an Xrefs
56) Never modify CADWorx models using REFEDIT, Use XOPEN
57) Xref Working Models as Overlays
58) Xref Overall Models as Attachments
59) Use Xrefs to lock your issued lines

18. Learning – In CADWorx
60) MANUAL - Learn what you already have
61) Learn the new features each release
62) LSP command - Learn hidden commands and variables
63) Join the Beta team

19. Learning – Staying in the know
64) Receive notification from SmartSupport when software
updates are available
– https://smartsupport1.intergraph.com
65) Follow Blogs for latest information

20. Learning – Staying Current
66) Participate on the forums
67) Participate on LinkedIn
– CADWorx User Group
– Intergraph CADWorx and Analysis Group
– Intergraph CADWorx
– CADWorx and Analysis University
68) Get involved internally, Lunch and Learns
69) Network with as many experts that are here as you can

21. Customization
70) Customize open file dialog shortcut folders
71) Type your commands
72) Learn the Command Line options
73) Change command line settings to search layers
and sysvars
74) Use the command lines learning capabilities
75) Create you own quick key commands

22. Time Savers
76) Use heads up display dynmode = 3
77) Use copy array - Pipe Racks
78) Rotate with Copy option
79) Use different view styles at different times - Don’t always
stay in Rendered mode
80) Shift Middle Mouse Orbit (ORBITAUTOTARGET)
81) Use in canvas tools to switch between saved views
82) View Cube use WCS - Turn off View Cube

23. Troubleshooting
83) Use vanilla AutoCAD to recover the files.
84) Recover models using the database
85) Vars2scr to compare variables to another drawing
86) Use Isogen Export Files from IGO command for
troubleshooting

24. Hardware
87) SSD Hard drives
88) Max your RAM to your budget/computer
89) Dual MONITORS or more
90) Verify your Graphics Card is Autodesk Certified
– www.autodesk.com/graphics-hardware
91) Ensure you are running the computer manufactures latest
driver for your Graphics Card

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Thank you!